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A Great Fish Prepared For You by Travis Bryan III

Now the Lord prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah.  And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.  Jonah 1:17.

Jesus cited the above verse to the Jews as a sign of His death, burial and resurrection.  Matt 12:39-40.

The gospel for today enunciated thru Apostle Paul is that we now participate with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection.  We die and rise with Christ.  Rom 6:3-5; Gal 2:20; 2 Cor 5:14-15; 1 Cor 15:31.  This means that we continually share with Christ in His sufferings.  We participate in experiences similar to what Jonah went through in the belly of the whale.  We must partake of horrors like Jonah underwent although the Lord  goes through it with us.  Phili 3:10.

I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and He heard me; out of the belly of hell (or “the grave”) cried I, and Thou heardest my voice.  For Thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all Thy billows and Thy waves passed over me.
Jonah 2:1-3.

When we are baptized into the death of Christ and buried with Him, it’s like we are swallowed up by a huge sea monster, a “Leviathan.”  Job 41.  Satan and his evil powers devoured Jesus at Calvary and he is allowed to swallow us also.  I didn’t make this up.  The Bible makes it clear.  Satan is symbolised in Jonah as the great fish God has prepared for Jesus and us.  But He has prepared it for a joyous end, co-glory today and forever with Christ in heaven.

Baptism is defined in Thayer’s Lexicon as being “overwhelmed with calamity.”  Like the Israelites at the Red Sea (Ex 14), we feel and experience terror similar to Jesus and Jonah.  Our terror is usually  on a smaller scale unless you are martyred for your faith which not many of us will have to face.  We fear for our health, finances, job, marriage, reputation of even life itself as we contemplate the dark horror in the belly of some  hellish situation.  We must become totally overwhelmed.  We cry out to God in faith from the bottom of the bottom and He rescues us.  He lifts us up and out all the way to the top of heaven.  We celebrate with Him like the Israelites did in Exodus 15 after CROSSing the Red Sea.  There is a glorious co-resurrection celebration.  Exodus 15; Rom 6:5.

God speaks to Satan and miraculously he is caused to vomit us out upon the shore, totally delivered from the death situation.  We are then seated with Christ in heavenly places.  Eph 2:6.  We are now a different person.  We walk in a “newness” of power and life.  Rom 6:4.  Like Jonah we are now equipped to do wonderful  works we could never have done before.  Eph 2:10.  After Jonah was vomited out, he followed God’s command, went into the city and spoke just a few words of the gospel and 120,000 heathens immediately got saved.  Miracles occur after we experience Christ’s suffering and face a death situation.

God has also prepared a great fish for you, to swallow up and do away with the old you that you might be made more and more into a new creation ready to do His work.

The pattern is always the same: you must first go down to the belly of hell before you can go up to the heights of heaven.

Are you overwhelmed with problems today?  Are you swallowed up by terror on every side?  Are you “pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch as you are despairing even of life itself?”. 2 Cor 1:8-11.  This is a baptism without water.  This is God letting Satan have his way with you for a while.  But be faithful, understand and embrace your predicament.  Know it is transformative.  Present yourself to it.  Be ready to experience miracles!  Look forward to the ride, all the way to the top of heaven.  Look forward to what God is preparing you to do in and through you!

We had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God WHICH RAISETH THE DEAD: who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us.  2 Cor 1:9-10.

Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord.  Lord, hear my voice.  Ps 130:1.

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Posted on January 7, 2012 at 5:53 pm

This post is filed under The Daily Cross, Travis Bryan III and tagged , , .

To Row or to Rest? by Travis Bryan III

Human Effort Rowing vs Faith Transportation

“And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, 17 And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. 18 And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. 19 So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. 20 But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. 21 Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.” John 6:16-21

Gal 3:3 says that once we are saved we can’t then be perfected by the flesh.  Flesh means and is translated “human effort.”. We can’t grow or be sanctified by human effort although this is what 99 per cent of all believers are trying to do today.  No!  We are sanctified the same way we are justified, by faith, our faith cooperating with “the faith of Jesus Christ.”. Col 2:6.

Rowing in the above passage signifies human effort in order to reach the shore of heaven.  It symbolizes sanctification by works.  Notice it was only when they quit trying to row that they were “immediately” at the shore.  But they had to trust through some terror.  This signifies trusting through the cross.  The cross is the rough seas, high winds and dark times of life.  This is where you meet Jesus.

If we trust Him thru the cross moments, He (not we) will take us to our glorious destination.

Jonah told the sailors to take him up and cast him into the sea and the stormy sea would be made calm but they refused to listen.  They kept rowing.  When they finally trusted Jonah and cast him in the sea, the tempest was calmed.  This is a picture of Jesus being baptized into His death at Calvary in order to calm the chaos of Satan, sin, self, the world, and the flesh in our lives.  Jonah 1:11-16

Only He can do it.  We can’t do it.  When will we learn to stop rowing and start listening and trusting, trusting thru the terror?  Only then will we see quelled the tempests of life.

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Posted on November 1, 2011 at 7:57 pm

This post is filed under The Daily Cross, todd tomasella, Travis Bryan III and tagged , , , , , .

Who are Christ’s Enemies? by todd tomasella

How did Jesus define His “enemies”? – “But those MINE ENEMIES, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.” Luke 19:27

“And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.” Luke 19:13

Are you occupying according to Christ’s Great Commission command? Or, are we simply a good church member or going through the motions? Beloved, when is the last time you taught someone something from God’s Word? When is the last time you passed out a Gospel tract? When have you won someone to Christ?

Does God require fruit? Yes! The “fruit” is what proves that one has a born again and abiding relationship with Christ which is what saves his soul – “And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Matthew 3:10

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Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:52 pm

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Harry Potter, Twilight Witchcraft – Beware! by todd tomasella

Message Rec’d:

Todd: What has happened to this generation? I know of believers that bought all of the ‘Harry otter’ books, and were the first in line at the movies when they came out. Those same believers have been caught up in the ‘Twilight Series’ and now they are engaging in vampire and zombie activities and events.

Response:

A true disciple of Christ would never buy a book on witchcraft which is exactly what the author of the potter books has openly stated that her books are. Why? – “Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.” 1 Corinthians 10:21 (KJV) On the divine authority of God’s Word, I declare that anyone communing with any type witchcraft is a vile rebel and outside of the kingdom of the living God.

In Galatians 5:19-21, the Bible specifically tells us that “witchcraft” is a soul-damning work of the flesh and proves that the person participating is not abiding saved in Christ regardless of whether or not they were once born again (John 15:1-6).

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Posted on July 11, 2011 at 6:52 pm

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Who Will Be Spared?

“And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? 24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? 25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? 26 And the Lord said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. 27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes.” Genesis 18:23-27

Concerning the final days leading up to His return, Jesus says:

“Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.” Luke 17:28-30

God spared only Lot and his two daughters. His wife turned back and perished which alone cancels the mythical lie and possibility of “once saved always saved.”

Righteousness ONLY comes from being in CHRIST who is our only righteousness and so, we must conclude that only those who have been born again and are PRESENTLY in the light of Christ, are saved and will be spared (Ezekiel 33:12-13; Romans 5:17; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 1 John 1:7).

“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” 1 Corinthians 1:30

“But IF we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7

At initial salvation all our “sins that are PAST” are cleansed and we only continue to be cleansed from all sin as we “walk in the light.” (Romans 3:25; 1 John 1:7) The calvinistically corrupted mind will not be able to see this truth unless he is ready to repent and begin believing God at His Word.

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Posted on June 27, 2011 at 6:30 pm

This post is filed under Escaping Eternal Damnation, Eternal Life, Salvation, todd tomasella.

Faith without Limiting God

Memory Verse - “And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” Mark 10:27

One of the stated reasons that many of God’s people were cursed was due to their refusal to rejoice “for the ABUNDANCE of all things” as if the Almighty is somehow limited! The only limiting factor is the faith of the individual.

“Because thou servedst not the Lord thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things.” Deuteronomy 28:47

In fact, because they “limited” the LORD, He punished them.

“Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.” Psalms 78:41

Unbelief is a serious offense in the eyes of the one, true, and holy God. Unbelief impugns the integrity of the LORD and must be repented of immediately. Unbelief comes out of “an EVIL heart.”

“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.” Hebrews 3:12-15

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Posted on June 27, 2011 at 3:30 am

This post is filed under Uncategorized.

Often Misquoted Bible Passage Examined

The following message was communicated this week by a person seeking encourage others to know that God is faithful. He sure is and yet, His faithfulness to His people must be qualified by the whole of His Word. This lady wrote:

“Hold on to your faith in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Even when we are too weak to have any faith left, Christ remains faithful to us and will help us.
For He cannot disown us who are apart of Himself and He will always carry out His promises to us (2 Timothy 2:13).”

This sister seemed very sincere and yet, we can be sincere and at the same time, sincerely deceived (Proverbs 14:12).

No, it says He cannot deny HIMSELF, not us. Please re-read the passage very closely. Many have been misled by false teachers who teach OSAS (once saved always saved). They misquote this passage and pervert it grossly. Let’s read this passage ourselves okay:

“It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” (2 Timothy 2:11-13)

Note that “IF we deny him, he also WILL DENY US.” (2 Timothy 2:12) Is this not consistent with the whole of God’s written Word?

“Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: 9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.” Luke 12:8-9

“Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:38

In other words she is saying that God will always – no matter if we obey or disobey Him – carry out His promises to us. This is false. The LORD told His own people who were living in sin:

“IF ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20 But IF ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” Isaiah 1:19-20

The LORD’s promises are conditional upon our faith and obeying Him. There are many, many Bible verses which convey this truth. Here’s a few:

“The Lord is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.” 2 Chronicles 15:2

“Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.” Romans 11:22-23

“Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit … If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” John 15:6

God surely is faithful and yet there are parameters He has set concerning just who He will be faithful to and whom He will not be faithful to.

“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.” Hebrew 3:12-15

To those Jesus saved and chose to hold the highest office in the church – the twelve original apostles – Jesus warned:

“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 10:22

Jesus addresses seven churches in Revelation 2-3 and to each of them He promises final salvation (Heaven) only to those among His own people who endure to the end, keeping Him as their “first love” and thereby overcome.

We have no license to take one part of God’s Word and run amuck with by divorcing it from the whole counsel of His written Word. This is exactly how so many are misled today. Millions today who have been saved are being misled by false teachings/false teachers due to their own ignorance of the full-counsel of the LORD. They have not thoroughly studied to show themselves approved unto the LORD and are being deceived and destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6; 2 Timothy 2:15).

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Lie of the Ages

 

Posted on June 23, 2011 at 5:08 pm

This post is filed under Escaping Eternal Damnation, Eternal Life, Salvation, todd tomasella and tagged .

Standing Fast in Christ’s Righteousness While Refusing to be Led to Rely on Self-Righteousness

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isaiah 64:6

The fruit of good sound doctrine is “righteousness, peace, and joy, in the Holy Ghost.” (Rom. 14:17) These earmark, tell-tale fruits/evidences are absent from the lives of those deceit-filled legalists who depend on their own selves in lieu of Christ and establish an environment of unrealistic measures to attain holiness where they feign to be on a plain higher than others (Col. 2:18-23; 2 Pet. 2:19). It’s a large lie! While they condemn others harshly, Jesus says THEY are the ones who don’t know Him and are going to hell literally (Matt. 23).

“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:33-34

The self-righteous deceivers of our day don’t even have an understanding of the basics of Christianity. It’s like they have never even read the book of Romans which is referred to by some as the ABC’s of the Christian faith. Actually, they are willingly blinded. God has blinded their eyes because they refuse to turn their hearts to Him (2 Corinthians 3:14-16).

Christ said that the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees must be exceeded to enter His holy Heaven. Their righteousness is self-righteousness as contrasted with God’s righteous (the true right standing that only the LORD can grant). Nothing has changed (Eccl. 1:9). “The righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees” is founded on personal pride, works, and self-righteousness and unless we have God’s very and imputed righteousness, we too will perish in the fires of eternal damnation (Matt. 5:20).

Over the years and increasingly, we have seen this religious spirit manifest among individuals and usually small groups. At times it has been with guys who want to be leaders but they don’t yet have the seasoning. Like a self-deceived novice who is intoxicated with personal pride, they then find a target – usually a person who is a true under-shepherd – and begin their attack on that target in order to discredit him and draw away disciples after them (Acts 29:29-32). They are usually successful with a few people.

1 Timothy 1

3As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

4Neither give heed to fables (mythical, preposterous stories) and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

5Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

6From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;

7Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

Did you catch that? True, sound doctrine always produces “charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.” (v5 above) Let’s break it out a bit. According to 1 Timothy 1:5, here is the real and tangible fruit in the life of every Christ-worshipping believer:

  • “charity out of a pure heart”
  • “a good conscience”
  • “faith unfeigned”

Also, in this passage did you catch that which can be observed among deceitful false teachers? – “Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.” (v7 above)

Titus 1

9Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

10For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

11Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.

12One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, the Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.

13This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

14Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

These beguilers who perpetrate falsehood on God’s people, could care less about what it produces in the lives of those they teach these things. Divine truth always produces powerful  and good fruit in its adherents (Ps. 119:165; Rom. 1:16; 6:17; 1 Thess. 1:5; 2 Pet. 1:2-4, etc.).

Like the Pharisees of Christ’s day, these clowns have no idea how wicked they are and how in need of God’s mercy they are.

Beware of their sometimes subtle propensity to exclude others based on the elevation of themselves. In fact, this cultic spirit is isolating them from other of Christ’s imperfect vessels (Rom. 15:7). – “These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.” (Jude 1:19) All true believers desire and participate in fellowship with other of God’s true children (Acts 2:42-47; Eph. 4:11-15; Col. 3:16; Heb. 10:24-25). Some of these groups claim that nearly everyone else has devils and yet, if there is a devil involved, it’s behind this unjustified separatism, and holier than thou spirit they are possessed by.

There should be no mystery that we have all gone astray and do err at times (James 3:1; 1 Jn. 1:8, 10). There is no getting around this truth. “God is not mocked” so who do we think we are fooling other than ourselves? (Gal. 6:7) The Bible calls us liars if we deny we are imperfect (1 John 1:8, 10). Hello somebody! There’s only one sinless, perfect being and that’s God and not us. ONLY God is perfection and in His mercy justifies the ungodly who continue to cast themselves upon Him in faith, depending fully upon Him, realizing their own desperate, corrupt state and perpetual need for Him (Rom. 4:4-5, etc.). That is the picture of true, saving faith that in one’s own spiritual poverty, he trusts the LORD by faith to justify his wretched, wicked, ungodly self (Rom. 4:4-5). Those who truly know God know Him by faith and do not go around deceitfully acting as if they have attained to perfection, or perfect holiness. Just one sinful thought we dwell on blows that up and reveals just how wicked and depraved we are when not presently abiding in His saving grace BY FAITH. God says that those who cover their sins will not prosper but those who confess and forsake their sins are given divine mercy (Prov. 28:13).

Did Jesus treat people like they are treating people? – obviously not. Jesus accepted vile, filthy, adulterous, sinners which is what WE all are! Aren’t you glad?! The Pharisees – those then and now – aren’t glad, but are rather impugned in their pride and sinful self-righteousness (Lk. 15:1-2). Jesus spent the rest of what is now chapter 15 of Luke illustrating that the very exact reason He came was to restore sinners to God. The people Jesus rejected were the rich and religious. They refused His forgiveness, thinking they were righteous without Him and in themselves (Matt. 23, etc.). At this very moment, those wicked doers are still in hell and will soon be cast into the lake of fire.

According to the only supreme, divine Judge of all men, we are all sinful and in the Judge’s economy it’s only those who acknowledge this truth and humbly bow before Him in repentance and faith in Jesus whom He will forgive. Our hearts are purified “BY FAITH” and not by performance (Acts 15:9).

The Word of God tells us to beware of beguilers who would seek to steal away the reward of grace Jesus died to purchase for you (Col. 2:3-4; 8-23).  Read Colossians 2.

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1

PRAYER: Holy Father, forgive me for my own sinful self-righteousness. Bless this life to glory only in Thee my God! I turn to You completely right this instant. Please fill me with Your Holy Ghost afresh. Grant Your discernment to my heart and mind that I might be kept in Your righteousness and never settled for a cheap substitute. Amen Jesus.

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Posted on June 21, 2011 at 8:32 pm

This post is filed under Escaping Eternal Damnation, Eternal Life, Salvation, The Daily Cross, todd tomasella.

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Message Rec’d:

“False teachers really have a way of drawing out the “flesh” in people. They keep them in bondage with an “I” mentality. There is no ” fruit” to be found in anything they promote, and therefore, no “fruit” in their followers. Oh, how we need to know that He is Lord!” Lorraine

Response:

Lorraine, that is so right on.. In light of what you said, we should take a fresh look at 2 Peter 2. This whole chapter is dedicated to the expose’ of false teachers/false prophets. Here’s a phrase from v18 – “they allure through the lusts of the flesh …

What does this tell us? It tells us that only those who truly prefer Christ above themselves and therefore deny self – submitting sinful self to the daily cross – will overcome and be with Jesus eternally. It’s only those who are “dead to sin” that cannot be allured “through the lust of the flesh.” (2 Peter 2:18)

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Message Rec’d:

“Anyone who thinks they cannot learn from the giants of the faith in the past is making a huge mistake.”

Response:

The “giants of the past” have misled some …. to varying degrees. While some of the work is a blessing, they hold no authority in the kingdom of God as do the apostles and prophets of our LORD who are said to be “holy men of God” and they “spake  as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

The “giants of the past” were not approved of the LORD of a surely as were the prophets and apostles of Jesus Christ whose divinely inspired words have been canonized in the Holy Scriptures.

The LORD rebuke us for the notion of putting anyone on the same level of kingdom authority as Himself! “The Scripture cannot be broken” says Jesus and Isaiah says “seal the law among my disciples.” (Mark 10:35; Isaiah 8:16).

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:20-21 (KJV)

“Let God be true and EVERY man (past or present) a liar.” Romans 3:4).

What is man in is very “best sate”? – “altogether vanity.”

“Verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.” Psalms 39:5

Until I have God’s Words memorized forward and backwards, I will give not great heed nor time to the words of mere men.

The term “giants of the faith” is synonymous with the term “great men of God.” How about we reverse this and say that there is a “great God among men”? Why?

“That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:29-31

“And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Matthew 23:9-12

The saints at the city of Berea tested even the apostle Paul’s words against Holy Writ. We must also.

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”  Acts 17:11

All the words of all mere men must be held in high scrutiny, weighed in the balance of the whole of Holy Scripture.

Of this truth, Jake Stortenbecker says:  “Never trust a man! Just because he says something is right or wrong or means this or that doesn’t mean it is so. If he doesn’t line up with the Holy Word of God then to be a little bit off base is to be 100% wrong!”

Lorraine Reimann: “I think that false teachers teach in “concepts” these days, knowing that some believers won’t get into the individual scriptures, verse by verse. There is no excuse for a believer not to search and study the Word of God, we will all be held accountable!”

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Message Received:

I really have been discouraged lately because every time we think we have found a church, it starts with all the worldly programs and etc.  I am grateful that God has put you and all other friends in my life. Thank You for serving Him, S.

Reply:

Blessings in Jesus to you today sister. The remnant is being blessed to give up seeking out a “church” because WE ARE His church or called out ONES. We can’t join or go to church because we are ALREADY His church/people. Find one or more sincere believers who want more of Him and are willing to begin learning how to lay down their lives. What did Jesus tell us in Matthew 18:20.

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Posted on June 21, 2011 at 8:11 pm

This post is filed under Escaping Eternal Damnation, Eternal Life, Salvation, The Daily Cross, todd tomsaella.

“Beware of Evil Workers”

“Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is SAFE. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. 3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” Philippians 3:1-3

There are many who have “crept in unawares” and are leading Christian people to apostasize or “depart from the faith” that once appropriated the saving grace of God in their lives (1 Timothy 4:1-3). They have left their Word-founded faith in Jesus Christ. Like the foolish and “bewitched” Galatians, many are turning back to something else other than the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ to be justified by some other means. Any other means is insufficient and yet, sinful men seem to want to take credit for their own salvation and feel as if they are more righteous than others, hence the biblical rebuke to those who parade themselves as “holier than thou.” (Isaiah 65:5)

The religiously self-righteous abound today. Beware! In this Philippians 3 passage, Paul calls them “dogs … evil workers,” and “the concision.” The apostles says they are “evil.” God bless the true disciple to discern exactly who is it that is trying to get close to him and why? Beware!

“And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily (secretly, undetected) to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.” Galatians 2:4-5

This is no joke saints. The enemy literally “walketh about seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

What is their mission? What does the evil one want to use them to do? Why do they come “in privily”? – They come in on a mission to “bring us into bondage” or remove us from sincerely and only trusting the Son of God for our justification.

Beware of those who have the deafening absence of edification, graciousness, meekness, love, mercy, etc. in their lives and yet nitpick things in the lives of the righteous. These are those whom Jesus spoke about who “strain at a gnat and swallow a camel” and kill with slanderous words the righteous thinking they do God service (Matt. 23:23-25; John 16:1-3).

They kill with slanderous words the righteous, projecting their own sin and guilt upon others instead of repenting themselves and getting broken before the LORD.

“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?” Romans 2:1-3

In their deceived minds, only you need God’s mercy, not them. They have sin in their own hearts and lives and yet find the time, energies, and wherewithal to nitpick and judge you and not to examine and judge themselves.

Jesus is warning us concerning swine who pose as believers. Be very careful who you share your life and information with:

“Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye. 6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” Matthew 7:1-6

God wants us to judge our own selves and examine our own selves, and not be preoccupied with judging others.

“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” 1 Corinthians 11:31-32

“Examine YOURSELVES, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves …” 2 Corinthians 13:5

“The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. ” Psalms 55:21

Some people seem to have the answers for everyone else but not themselves. They claim to be hearing God for others and yet are in great need of hearing and obeying the Word of God for themselves. Be not deceived. As we see in the above passages of Holy Writ, this is not how the LORD would work – He will not contradict His own Word by using folks who have need to repentance themselves to go around trying to correct others.

WHO, WHO, WHO? PLEASE TELL ME WHO? “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:33-34

Helping others to be restored in confessing their sins is the biblical way and first line of action, not unduly exposing the sins of others (Galatians 6:1-2; James 5:20-21). Ham unduly exposed the nakedness of his father (head, leader) and God judged him harshly (Genesis 9). He will do the same to us if we do such an evil thing (James 2:13).

“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8

“He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.” Proverbs 17:9

God’s love working in us “covereth a transgression” and doesn’t expose it unless absolutely necessary. There is an order in the LORD’s kingdom economy (Matthew 18:15-17). His greatest desire is to restore. Yet, some, in their pride and self-righteousness, vaunt themselves against others.

God does not send a person to correct another person who has not entered into the spiritual requirements He set forth. The conditions must be met or God is not sending that person. So many misguided, pride-filled, self-righteous attempts by novices have caused great harm and brought discord and disunity among the brethren (Psalms 133; Ephesians 4:3). To wrongly bring/sow discord is sin. Watch this closely okay:

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1-2

Restoring a brother or sister is a serving ministry, not an occasion to show how spiritual and righteous we are. That identifies a wicked, self-righteous heart just like the condemned Pharisees of Christ’s day (Matthew 23).

MEMORIZE THIS: “Let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.” (Zechariah 7:10) We should memorize this truth and put it into practice in our thought life. Determining evil against a child of God with no clear proof and void of the Christ-like spirit of restoration, is sin.

When we begin to truly mature, we are in touch with our own sins and the great and deep need we personally have of the LORD’s mercy. At that point we drop the stones of condemnation we were going to throw at others. It’s time to repent ourselves and get the log of condemnation out of our hearts. This means we must die the death (John 12:23-25).  It’s only then that God can lift us up to truly serve Him (James 4:10).

“He (Jesus) lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” John 8:7

The mature disciple is to “consider” himself and the propensity to sin in his own life, proceeding in “the spirit of meekness” to “restore” and not wrongly condemn, in order to help bring that sinning person back into proper fellowship with the LORD who is holy (Galatians 6:1-2). Jesus says to go to that person “between thee and him ALONE.” (Matthew 18:15) The divine goal is to win them back and not to alienate them. We must be in the “spirit of meekness” with no self-righteous pride or we will oust instead of recapture that soul. Memorizing this verse has helped me through the years – “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” (James 1:20)

The modern day pharisee pretends to be a believer and even a minister and yet high and lifted up in his evil pride, he “sitteth in the seat of the scornful,” making himself feel better for a moment by condemning others instead of bringing the restoration Jesus died to provide (Psalms 1:1) Folks, that is the definition of a minister of satan who is posing as a child of God or pastor or street preacher. Beware! There are many!   “There are many adversaries.” (1 Corinthians 16:9)

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening (devouring) wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:15-16

What “fruit” do we know others by? Well, let’s begin with the fruit of being possessed by the same Spirit and mission Jesus had – to restore and not to condemn. Are you possessed with the desire to help restore others or to condemn?

Jesus says “He that is not with me IS against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” (Matthew 12:30)  Jesus came to gather men to His Father. In fact He shed His very own precious blood to bring men to God – “Christ Jesus came into the world to save (rescue) sinners.” (1 Timothy 1:15)

Memorize and obey these words of the LORD Jesus Christ lest you be His enemy:

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:17

“For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” Luke 9:56

Anyone not possessed by the Spirit and truth of Jesus’ mission has no business doing “ministry.” In fact, if we don’t have His heart we are none of His and we are devouring wolves!

Many who hold positions of leadership today or have elevated themselves on the internet as ministers are nothing more than vile wolves who are destroying souls with their vicious, ruthless hatred and error. They even conspire against the LORD as a sort of unspoken fraternal order, working together (Ezekiel 22:25-27; Acts 20:29-32). Beware!

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SafeGuardYourSoul.com

Posted on April 23, 2011 at 7:36 pm

This post is filed under False Teachers, todd tomsaella.

BRING IT ON DEVIL!

Get those Hands Up Saints!

HAVE YOU NOTICED that the MORE the enemy attacks you, the more blessings God brings? IS THIS BIBLICAL? Yes, concerning the people of God and their enemies, the Bible says “But THE MORE they afflicted them, THE MORE they MULTIPLIED and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.” (Exodus 1:12)  Did you notice in the last part of this insightful verse that the enemies of the LORD are “grieved” because of God’s blessing on your life as you serve Him in sincerity and in truth?

‎”Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” 1 Peter 4:12-14

Yes, this persecution should be worn as a badge of honor – that you are even worthy to suffer for Christ’s holy name! Rejoice!

David knew this truth. Persecution is the occasion for God to stack on more blessings for His persecuted child. The mockings and slander of the wicked becomes the springboard of God for more blessings in your live. So, in light of this, we should boldly declare “Bring it on devil!”

“And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came. 6 And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. 7 And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial: 8 The Lord hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the Lord hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man. 9 Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head. 10 And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the Lord hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so? 11 And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the Lord hath bidden him. 12 It may be that the Lord will look on mine affliction, and that the Lord will requite me good for his cursing this day.” 2 Samuel 16:5-12

ACCORDING to 2 Samuel 16:5-12, what should be our response to those who speak evil, falsely accuse, or try to rub our noses in a past sin? What did David understand that we should understand? Here was David’s response:

“LET HIM ALONE, and let him curse; for the Lord hath bidden him. 12 It may be that the Lord will look on mine affliction, and that the Lord will requite me good for his cursing this day.” 2 Samuel 16:11-12

In other words King David was saying “Don’t you dare stop that man from cursing me! I need all of the blessings and benefits God will bestow upon me! In fact, this man’s cursings are opening the floodgates for more blessings in my life in order to serve the LORD more fully!”

Personally, I have never been SO blessed in EVERY single area of my life as when satan’s wolves started falsely and fictitiously making up stories about me! Bring it on devil!  Now pore over 2 Samuel 16:5-12 and notice how God uses those occasions to multiply His blessings upon His children who are the object of the attacks!!! Bring it on devil! I need more of God’s blessings in my life!!!!

These persecutions actually reveal who the wolves are amongst us, posing as ministers of Christ (2 Cor. 11:12-15). Thank You Jesus!

At first I was horrified by the things that were being manufactured about me. But now, after going through that, the LORD has made my heart much more sound as He promised He would do. Check this out precious saint:

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” 1 Peter 5:10

All who slander and do not repent have their place reserved in the lake of fire. Railers are specifically named as sinners who are to be turned over to Satan according to 1 Corinthians 5. Did you realize that? Go read that chapter again closely!

Persecutions are the manifest token/proof that you are a true child of the King!

“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:14-17

There are hypocrites who have the stupidity and audacity to slander a brother or sister for one of those 6 sins in 1 Corinthians 5 while they are actually COMMITTING another one of those sins – the sin of railing.

But our sentence comes from God, not any mere sinful man – “Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.” (Psalms 17:2)

Many times, those who slander try to make their personal condemnation palatable by putting God’s name on it. This is what the LORD meant when He said “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7)  They have the audacity to put the holy name of the LORD on their slander (James 1:20). These railers call their evil report against someone created in God’s image His inspiration and truth when in reality it is the fruit of their own wicked imaginations coming out of their own depraved heart.

Saints, do not allow any slander on your wall! Delete it immediately and rebuke the evil doer who would dare do satan’s work like a coward who won’t go DIRECTLY to the person they have a question or concern about! Go read Prov. 25:9; Matt. 18:15

Those who are the remnant of Christ’s elect walk in love and that means they don’t slander others – only satan’s children slander others and then call it marking their victim. Under the guise of marking a person, some have maliciously slandered and sown discord among the brethren (Proverbs 6:16-19).

“The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.” Psalms 55:21

The clear proof that one is saved is God’s LOVE in their life – “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” (1 John 3:13-15

Remember that it doesn’t matter what people say about you when your whole life is all about Jesus. No sin of the past, if you have repented, defines who you are today. So, don’t let any child of satan who is posing as a Christian, rub your nose in your past sins. In fact, that’s the time to rejoice.

“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:33-34

Matthew 10 answers so many questions and sets our expectations as His disciples:

“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; 18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. 20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. 21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. 22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. 23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. 24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. 25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? 26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. 27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. 28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:16-28

If we only knew the blessings that await our being persecuted, perhaps we would say “Bring it on Devil!”

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew 5:10-12

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” 1 Peter 4:12-14

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THERE IS ONLY ONE true Gospel. The apostle wrote “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16) ONLY THE GOSPEL (Good News and power of Jesus) has the power to regenerate sinful men, making them new creatures in Christ. No other religion has this power and that’s why they have to proselytize by force, having more babies, or other means. In fact, all other religions and cults which claim to be Christian are powerless. They are simply and only the religions of mere men. But Jesus Christ is the only Savior and He didn’t come to start a religion but rather to purchase a people unto the Father by shedding for us His own precious blood (Acts 20:28; 2 Corinthians 5:19, etc.). This is why the communists have to guard those they have under their dark control from the Gospel – because the Gospel brings the light of Christ and makes men free and able to see the darkness.

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WHO needs “easter” (an ancient pagan festival to a false goddess Ishtar) to worship the King of all kings who died and rose again for our justification? Good Friday? Huhhhh? Those who truly know the LORD have firstly repented – turned their lives over to Him completely. Then, they worship Jesus “daily” in spirit and in truth (Luke 9:23-24; John 4:23-24). The true justified believer doesn’t need a so-called special holiday to give God lip service by giving Him a token day of supposed “worship.” That is for the heathen who wish to temporarily soothe their conscience for a day. But Jesus says “Ye must be born again.” (John 3:3, 7)

Was “good friday” foretold in the Bible? Yes. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and COMMANDING TO ABSTAIN FROM MEATS, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.” 1 Tim 4:1-3 (KJV)

What does eating have to do with salvation? – NOTHING! Salvation is by the grace of God and your faith and has nothing to do with trying to be good enough or what a person eats.

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todd tomasella


Posted on November 17, 2010 at 6:36 pm

This post is filed under Persecution, Suffering, todd tomsaella.